Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times ... more

A sign in front of the Civic Center tells it like it is during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

A sign in front of the Civic Center tells it like it is during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Members of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center perform at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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A member of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center performs at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

A member of the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center performs at the Saratoga Civic Center during the Saratoga First Night celebration on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Runners try to keep warm before the start of the Saratoga First Night 5k at Skidmore College on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Runners try to keep warm before the start of the Saratoga First Night 5k at Skidmore College on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Runners break from the starting line during the Saratoga First Night 5k at Skidmore College on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Runners break from the starting line during the Saratoga First Night 5k at Skidmore College on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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At First Night, some 2014 wishes

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Saratoga Springs

Shuffling their feet and clasping large coffees near an outdoor heater, Suzanne Figueroa and Anthony Coppola declared there was nowhere else they'd rather spend New Year's Eve than at First Night Saratoga.

The couple from Simsbury, Conn., arrived Saturday to celebrate their fourth — and coldest — New Year's Eve in Saratoga Springs. They're drawn by dozens of entertainment venues, musical acts and fireworks that ring in New Year's at Congress Park.

"It's a tradition," said Figueroa, a 34-year-old bank executive. "Every year, we say 'Let's go to the Caribbean,' and we end up coming to Saratoga."

Now in its 16th year, First Night Saratoga is the only remaining First Night celebration in the Capital Region, and is billed as the largest New Year's Eve event in the state outside of New York City. The family-friendly event typically attracts 15,000 to 20,000 revelers downtown, but due to a recent stretch of cold weather organizers expected 10,000 to 15,000 people to turn out Tuesday. Judging by the size of the early evening crowds, it appeared they may have been correct.

On Tuesday, snow showers fell in the afternoon and temperatures hovered around 22 degrees. But the wind chill made it feel like zero. The weather, however, did not dampen the enthusiasm of runners, 1,500 of whom participated in the sold-out 16th Annual First Night Saratoga 5K Run.

Those who did brave the cold temperatures said they hoped 2014 would be a year of personal growth.

"I'm hoping to break 80 on a consistent basis this year," Frazier said.

Turenne, 32, moved to Ballston Spa from South Beach, Fla., in September. Was she freezing? "I'm used to it; no complaining," Turenne said. "I was raised in Brooklyn." What did she want from 2014? "To get married; get my life together," she said.

Standing outside on Broadway and showing off two alpacas were David and Lisa Proulx, owners of Breezy Hill Ranch in West Hebron, Washington County.

Lisa Proulx said they would love to make their farm and its store self-sustaining so they could drop their part-time jobs and work full time on the farm.

Standing near Saratoga Arts, which organizes First Night, the Ebert family of South Broadway said they were hoping for opportunity.

Christopher Ebert, a 23-year-old cook, said he wished for a better job and lower prices so he could take care of his family. "I hope the economy gets a lot better and living becomes affordable again," Jesi Ebert said.

Coppola and Figueroa said they didn't want for much, though he said he would like to travel to Spain. On Dec. 21, he gave her a beautiful piece of jewelry that some would mistake as an engagement ring.

"I have everything I need," Figueroa said, showing off the ring. "But we're never getting married. It's a promise ring."